What It Really Takes to Make It as a Freelancer

I see headlines about how every other person today is planning a freelance career. And while I am a huge advocate of freelancing, I also know from experience that it is not for everyone. In fact, it’s probably not for most people.

You really need a specific set of skills, proclivities, and – dare I say – obsessions to succeed as a freelancer. It is not easy even for those of us who have these traits and habits of mind, and I believe it will prove almost oppressively difficult for those who don’t.

Since I’ve been freelancing (mostly full-time) for almost 14 years and have a lot of insight into it, here’s my PSA about what it really takes to make it as a freelancer. The list sounds intimidating, so it isn’t necessarily crucial to think, “Oh yes, that’s me!” when reading all of it, but you shouldn’t be thinking, “Oh no, I totally can’t!” A better place to be is: “Hmmm, I like the sound of this… Do I dare?”

Here’s What You Need to Succeed

1.  The ability to be entirely self-directed

even on days when you don’t know what you’re supposed to be directing yourself to do (as well as when faced with distraction, such as when the new season of your favorite show just dropped)

2. The willingness to always be on the lookout

for new opportunities and to pursue them immediately

3. The organization to keep a lot of plates spinning at once

so you can hit deadlines and plan ahead for future months

4. The skills and professionalism

to always provide quality work by deadlines and accept edits/corrections without any hint of attitude

5. The confidence to ask questions

and clarify unclear instructions to ensure you understand what the client wants

6. The proclivity to take a strategic approach

to your time and money

7. The boldness to set your rates high

and to ask for more pay time after time

8. An interest in the logistical and financial side of running your own business

such as satisfaction over making a good spreadsheet or delight in money management

9. The responsibility to plan

for your personal and financial security, particularly health insurance and retirement

10. A personality that makes people want to work with you

or at least the ability to convincingly fake it

11. An obsession with responsiveness

to ensure that clients know you’re taking their needs seriously and can be relied upon

12. A readiness for uncertainty

and varying work/income levels from month to month (and year to year), including taking it in stride when contracts end and work dries up without notice or explanation

13. The humility to apologize without caveat when you screw up

– because you will screw up

I’m sure I could add more, but this is sufficient to weed out a whole lot of people. This career is hard to manage. Many people will enjoy stable, predictable work as full-time employees far more. But if this post piques your sense of excitement and possibility, then you may have just discovered your best path to professional satisfaction.